The Heavens in January. 



j 

 By Professor Eric Doolittle o f the University of Pennsylvania. 



In the opening days of the year 1918 

 we find every one of the bright, naked 

 eye planets either high in the evening 

 heavens or just beyond the borders of 

 our evening map. A few months ago 

 the reader who wished to study these 

 interesting worlds was obliged to look 



observation during the evening, while 

 throughout the entire year we will 

 have with us the very interesting plan- 

 et Mars, whose rapid eastward motion 

 and conspicuous changes in brightness, 

 as it first draws near our earth and af- 

 terward recedes again, will afford an 



NORTh 



lOUTH 

 Figure 1. The Constellations at 9 P. M., January 1. (If facing south, hold the map upright. If 

 facing east, hold East below. If facing west, hold West below. If facing north, hold the map inverted.) 



for them in the east, during the morn- 

 ing hours shortly before sunrise, but 

 it is now in this part of the sky that 

 the planets are entirely wanting. 



For many months to come the won- 

 derful worlds, Jupiter and Saturn, will 

 remain in the best possible position for 



object of continued interest for study. 

 This world did not come into the most 

 favorable position for observation at 

 any time during 191 7. but on March 

 18 of the present year it will attain its 

 least distance from us and will appear 

 largest and present more detail in the 



